memory. open to both courts.

[orcsurfing]

[ All around is white, snow whips across the picture along with long strands of pale golden hair. A pace or two away a couple figures stand huddled together, pressed against a wall of a mountain. Two tall men, four hobbits whose heads barely stand above the surface of the snow, A DWARF* that stands a little taller yet still, and a greying man dressed in greys in a pointed hat. The image, oddly enough, shows them from somehow above all. ]

If Gandalf would go before us with a bright flame, he might melt a path for you.

[ For some, perhaps a familiar voice, for others perhaps not. Light of heart and little troubled by the storm. The man in the pointed hat answers him. ]

If Elves could fly over mountains, they might fetch the Sun to save us.

[ But no matter the wizard and elf exchanging jabs at each other, there are still Men with ideas here. One speaks: ]

Well, when heads are at a loss bodies must severe, as we say in my country. The strongest of us must seek a way. See! Though all is now snow-clad, our path, as we came up, turned about that shoulder or rock down yonder. It was there that the snow first began to burden us. If we could reach that point, maybe it would prove easier beyond. It is no more than a furlong off, I guess.

[ Another - the tallest - answers him: ]

Then let us force a path thither, you and I!

[ And for a moment there it seems that would be the end of the conversation, the camera - so to speak - follows the toiling men, the way they work through the snow with great trouble yet also with some success. Yet not before long, Legolas speaks up again, his voice rising easily in the noise of the snow storm. ]

The strongest must seek a way, say you? But I say: let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leaf, or over snow - an Elf!

[ With that said, he springs forth nimbly. The camera briefly showing his feet on the snow, sinking but only a little, leaving little imprints in the cover of snow. And he runs light and easy. ]

Farewell! I go to find the Sun!

[ He says with a last look to Gandalf first, then to the toiling men, Aragorn and Boromir. For them, he has a wave of a hand, before he speeds off. ]

( ooc; paraphrased book excerpt, sassing off to a maia, have at! visual aid, I mean what. *blanche is a loser kill me now I FORGOT GIMLI )

Comments

[goldsickness]

I see you still carry with you the habit of calling me a liar.

[ And Thorin sounds all the more frustrated because of it. ]

[orcsurfing]

Calling you stubborn is more like it now.

[ He thinks you have warmed up to him, but he says nothing of the sort, but the genuine frustration at least makes him ease up. ]

This is no cause for concern, in any case, whether you have it or not.

[ Easy way out right here. ]

[goldsickness]

So you simply change from one insult to the other.

[ But he doesn't sound all too offended at that. At least that one is no lie. ]

Then that settles that. I shall spare my concern for those things which truly matter.

[ Basically, not you. ]

[orcsurfing]

Stubborn seems more amicable with you, upon the first look of your reaction! Perhaps because it rings true? And truth cannot be an insult.

[ In the end, elves are just as stubborn. ]

As you should!

[ Encouraging that entirely! ]

[goldsickness]

It can be as much of an insult, depending on who it comes from.

[ And Mirkwood elves aren't up there on the list for Thorin, really. ]

[orcsurfing]

What if it is one who acknowledges both the good and the bad sides of it?

[ Like himself! ]

[goldsickness]

And you would spare praise to a dwarf?

[ Colour him surprised, though also curious. ]

[orcsurfing]

I have done so before, I would do so once more.

[ There's such an obvious smile in his voice, such delight, and not a single trace of falsity. ]

Is it truly such a great surprise?

[goldsickness]

As much of a surprise as it was to learn that you have come to consider one of my kin as an elf-friend.

[ And perhaps, knowing that, if Legolas praised Gimli he would not find it so surprising. But to praise Thorin of all people? That is a whole another matter entirely. ]

[orcsurfing]

Staggering, then!

[ Always most generous with compliments when given a reason, Legolas would not hesitate once. For now, though, he continues the conversation lightly, with laughter and mirth in his voice. Ever teasing. ]

Though I should hope the blow will lessen with time, or perhaps I should hope otherwise? Seeing as I may have found the perfect manner in which to confound the dwarves.

[goldsickness]

By praising us? [ Surprising as it may be at first, Thorin can imagine something as that easy to get accustomed to, or at least easy to ignore. ]

And this has been your plan all along, to find ways to confound us?

[orcsurfing]

A part of it, the first step to one greater and more... profound.

[ His grin bright like the stars themselves, and equally teasing and smug. ]

[goldsickness]

[ This really is only feeding more into the idea in Thorin's mind that all elves are tricky and deceitful. ]

And what would that plan be?

[orcsurfing]

A plan to fluster them for I have found them to be most endearing when so.

[ Such deceit, much tricky. ]

[goldsickness]

I beg you pardon.

[ No, he doesn't sound too happy about that. ]

[orcsurfing]

You do not think so?

[ While Legolas still keeps up this most friendly tone, conversational and most sincerely curious. ]

[goldsickness]

I know not so. We are not to be mocked for your own amusement, and if one is to find us... endearing, as you so call it, it is not by an elf of all people.

[ He does not sound quite so endearing now. ]

[orcsurfing]

You think me mocking, when what I say is most sincere. [ You hurt his feelings, Thorin. (not) ] Why not by an elf, if I may ask?

[goldsickness]

Or so you claim. [ Thinking he's just mocking him makes far more sense to Thorin. ]

Because. [ He has no true answer to this, obviously. ] Since when do elves find dwarves endearing?

[orcsurfing]

Have I lied to you at all ever since you have come?

[ All that he said is turning out true, isn't it? ]

Since dwarves have proven their good will, shown their charm and simply... since the endearing side has seen the light of the day!

[goldsickness]

[ The longest of silences follows before he asks. Cautiously. ]

Just what sort of friendship exactly did you have with Gimli son of Glóin?

[orcsurfing]

[ The fondest of smiles comes over his features at the mention of Gimli. ]

Such as between good friends. [ He does not quite catch the implications here. ] He was very dear to me, like no other, to fight along side him was an honour and a great comfort, to travel with him a great joy.

[ Unlikely it answers Thorin's question, but that's how Legolas had always seen it. ]

[goldsickness]

[ The meaning of his question passes entirely unnoticed, that much is clear. He's quiet for a moment, then he simply brushes it off. ]

Then perhaps you found him endearing, and that is to pertain to the both of you. But I am much different from him.

[ And he absolutely refuses to accept being called cute. ]

[orcsurfing]

[ Legolas cocks his head, his gaze curious and inquisitive. ]

That yet remains to be seen, Thorin.

[goldsickness]

It most assuredly does not.